Critical roles of VEGF-C-VEGF receptor 3 in reconnection of the collecting lymph vessels in mice.
Molecular mechanisms of reconnection of collecting lymph vessels were analyzed by using murine popliteal prenodal lymph vessels. At 1 and 2 weeks after being divided by cutting the lymph vessel, lymphatic reconnection was frequently observed accompanied by mesh-like lymphatic channels. Electron microscopic study also showed a monolayer of endothelial cells in the newly developed lymph vessels. Smooth muscle markers were immunofluorescently demonstrated in the wall of the new vessels. At 1 week after the procedure of cutting, augmented expressions of VEGF receptors 1, 2 and 3 were found immunohistochemically at the site of the reconnected lymph vessels. The expression of mRNA for VEGF receptor 3 was enhanced at 5 days and 1 week in small pieces of the tissues containing the reconnected lymph vessels, compared with that in the corresponding tissues obtained with sham operated ones. The administration of VEGF-C at the cutting site of the collecting lymph vessel significantly increased the rate of the reconnected lymph vessels, whereas additional treatment with Flt4/Fc chimera protein significantly reduced the rate of the reconnected ones. These results suggest that activation of VEGF-C-VEGF receptor 3 has critical roles in reconnection of the collecting lymph vessels in adult mice.
Ikomi
Fumitaka
F
Departments of Physiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan. fikomi@sch.md.shinshu-u.ac.jp
Kawai
Yoshiko
Y
Nakayama
Jun
J
Ogiwara
Naoko
N
Sasaki
Katsunori
K
Mizuno
Risuke
R
Ohhashi
Toshio
T
D000818:Animals; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000293:injuries* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012038:Regeneration; D013997:Time Factors; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; C467483:vascular endothelial growth factor C, mouse; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3